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Culligan International · 1 day ago

Senior Project Manager, R&D and Product Development

Greater Chicago Area

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$140K/yr - $150K/yr

8+ years exp

Culligan International is a leading provider of water filtration solutions committed to delivering innovative products. The Senior Project Manager, R&D and Product Development will manage a portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget while collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance consumer products.

ManufacturingService IndustryWaterWater Purification

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end project management for new product introductions, product renovations, packaging updates, and cost optimization initiatives following Culligan’s Stage-Gate process

Develop detailed project timelines, milestones, and deliverables; ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget, managed through regular project meetings and notes to monitor and track progress

Coordinate with cross-functional teams — Engineering, Marketing, Sourcing, Finance, Quality, and Manufacturing — to align priorities and resources

Facilitate kick-off meetings to establish clear scope, success criteria, and stakeholder accountability

Anticipate risks, issues, resourcing challenges; develop mitigation and contingency plans to keep projects on track

Drive transparent communication of project status, key risks, and decisions to leadership

Drive consistency and excellence in Culligan’s project management tools, templates, and methodologies

Supervise and coach a Mechanical Engineer, managing technical deliverables and development priorities

Partner with Engineering, Regulatory, and COE R&D teams to define product specifications, mechanical requirements, and testing protocols

Lead technical readiness reviews, including prototyping, validation, tooling qualification, and pilot production

Own and maintain core technical documentation including product specifications, BOMs, and master data sheets

Collaborate with suppliers and manufacturing partners on tooling design, duplication, and process modifications

Translate field performance data, consumer feedback, and warranty trends into actionable design or process changes

Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Operations on post-launch product quality issues to investigate root causes and drive timely resolutions

Qualification

Mechanical EngineeringProject ManagementCross-functional LeadershipProject Management ToolsFiltration Systems KnowledgeStakeholder ManagementCommunication SkillsPresentation SkillsOrganizational Skills

Required

8+ years of experience in program or product management within consumer products, appliances, filtration, or related technical fields

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional programs involving engineering, regulatory, and manufacturing disciplines

Proven ability to translate technical complexity into clear, actionable plans for non-technical stakeholders

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment

Understanding of brand, sales, operations and finance functions in consumer-packaged goods; proven ability manage stakeholder satisfaction throughout the new product development process

Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, or Jira)

Preferred

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (MBA or advanced degree preferred)

Project management certification (PMP or similar)

Experience managing or mentoring technical contributors (engineers, designers, or technicians)

Working knowledge of filtration systems, mechanical assemblies, and regulated product design

Experience working with global suppliers or contract manufactures